The Walmart Neighborhood Market in La Palma has completed a renovation, updating several areas of the store and accommodating new pandemic protocols.

The remodel for the store at 5420 La Palma Ave. included refreshing its grocery pickup and delivery area, expanding the pet department, updating restrooms, and adding new floors and signage. The upgrades were part of a larger effort by Walmart across all of its U.S. stores to better protect employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The retailer’s neighborhood markets are small-scale versions of its traditional locations.

“The improvements, like our expanded grocery department, will offer a broader variety of products and the new arrangement of the department will make checking off your shopping list fast and easy,” said Juan Gonzalez, the La Palma operations manager.

Walmart has also added a new way to pay for items using its Walmart Pay app. Customers using their smartphones scan a QR code at the self-checkout register, completing their transaction without touching anything but their merchandise.

To commemorate the La Palma market renovation, Walmart gave a $2,000 grant to the Costa Mesa Police Department and a $1,000 grant to the Anaheim Police Survivors Scholarship Fund.

The free services provided this tax season by volunteers and the Orange County United Way OC Free Tax Prep program served 14,000 clients this year, the nonprofit reported. (File photo: Cindy Yamanaka, SCNG)

United Way program helped 14,000 tax filers

The free services provided this tax season by volunteers and the Orange County United Way OC Free Tax Prep program served 14,000 clients this year, the nonprofit reported.

The program each year helps residents prepare and file tax returns while using all applicable tax credits available through the Internal Revenue Service and the state’s Franchise Tax Board.

Here’s a look at the program, by the numbers:

—$16.5 million in federal and state refunds issued

—$3.1 million in federal Earned Income Tax Credits, a $1 million dollar increase over 2021

—$2.8 million saved in tax preparation fees

—$19.3 million: Total local impact for residents

—20,817 volunteer hours contributed

OC United Way said it partnered with 25 local organizations, hosting 557 free tax preparation events throughout the county to help taxpayers whose households earning less than $60,000 a year.

The nonprofit Bracken’s Kitchen in Garden Grove has received a $200,000 grant from the Republic Services’ National Neighborhood Promise program. The organization was founded in 2013 by chef Bill Bracken, seen here. (File photo by Matt Masin, Orange County Register, SCNG)

$200,000 to support Bracken’s Kitchen

The nonprofit Bracken’s Kitchen in Garden Grove has received a $200,000 grant from the Republic Services’ National Neighborhood Promise program.

The grant will support the company’s Rescued Food Program, which prepares meals made from surplus and unused food.

“Partnering with the Republic Services Charitable Foundation has allowed us to serve our communities on a greater scale,” said Bill Bracken, founder and culinary director at Bracken’s Kitchen. “Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger – it costs valuable time and energy each and every day to figure out where that next uncertain meal is coming from.”

Founded in 2013 by chef Bracken, the nonprofit said it hopes to achieve this year a goal of serving 1.5 million meals across Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana and Garden Grove.

On the move

Judge James J. Di Cesare, formerly of the Orange County Superior Court, has joined Judicate West as a neutral. The firm provides private dispute resolution services. Based in the Santa Ana office, he is available for mediations and arbitrations statewide. Di Cesare was appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Gray Davis in 2001. He has nearly five decades of experience in the law.

Brennen Carson is the new chief revenue officer at Irvine-based CalAmp. He will focus on helping CalAmp grow its presence in logistics and transportation and sustainable revenue streams. Carson has 15 years of expertise in software sales. Previously, he held the position of senior vice president of sales at Idelic.

Rick Miranda has been named vice president for instruction at Irvine Valley College. He replaces Chris McDonald who in March accepted the position of vice-chancellor of educational and technology services for the South Orange County Community College District. Since 2016, Miranda has served as vice president of academic affairs/assistant superintendent at Cerritos College. He also spent four years as the dean of Academic Affairs at Cerritos College.

Fundraiser update

Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire raised $225,000 at the “It’s in the Bag” luncheon and fundraiser held April 24th.

The event had been postponed during the pandemic and returned in-person this year, hosting 230 guests.

The money raised will go toward future wishes for critically ill children in the three-county region.

“Granting a child’s wish not only uplifts their spirits but brings them strength and encouragement and the ability to see that nothing is impossible,” said Gloria Jetter Crockett, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Appointments

Laguna Beach resident Jennifer Steele has been appointed to the California Humanities Board of Directors by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Steele was a social worker at the Suicide Prevention Center in Los Angeles from 1976 to 1979 and at a drug treatment program in New York City from 1979 to 1983. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.

Status Update is compiled from press releases by contributing writer Karen Levin and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to [email protected]. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

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